A Sad Story

This is a transcription from a newspaper.  The article has an error, it states that Gladys was survived by 2 stepsisters and a stepbrother.  These were actual half-siblings of Gladys.  One of the sisters was my great-grandmother, Eunice Skelton-Morlan.

September 4, 1919   Carmi, Illiniois-White County Democrat

Gladys Frasier Killed.  Wanda Gooch Badly Hurt and Edna Gooch Injured While Walking on Track.

An appalling accident occurred in the railroad yards of Carmi Friday afternoon where the Duds, L & N accommodation bound for Evansville struck the three girls.  The accident occurred at the Fourth street crossing, near the Pollack lumber yard.

Edna Gooch, age 14, her sister, Wanda Gooch, age 11, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gooch, and Gladys Frasier, at nine (actually 11), had walked up the railroad to the Campbell Mill to make a purchase and were returning home when the accident occurred.  The testimony of Omer Ward, a local railroad man, eyewitness of the accident before the Coroner's Jury was that he was walking east along the L & N right of way between Fourth and Fifth streets just east of the Fifth street crossing and on the north side of the track.  He did not hear the Duds whistle for the Fifth street crossing and when he saw the girls they were fully a hundred yards in front of the engine.  At that time a south bound Big Four freight train was passing them and their attention was evidently drawn towards it.  The eldest Gooch girl was just outside the north rail, the other two girls being in the center of the track.  Owing to the noise made by the Big Four freight, they were unaware of the approach of the Duds, which failed to whistle.  He said that the left hand of the cylinder of the engine struck the right shoulder of Edna Gooch and that the pilot struck the other two girls, all being thrown to the north side of the track.  He immediately ran to the area of the accident and picked up the Frasier girl, who was unconscious and bleeding profusely.

The testimony of Priace Tuggle, another eyewitness corroborated with that of Ward.  Both stated that there was no obstruction whatever to prevent the engineer seeing the girls in time to sound a warning, but that he was evidently watching the signal block in front of the station and did not notice them on the track.  The fireman was not on his side of the cab or probably would have seen the girls in time to notify the engineer.  The train crew did not learn of the accident until sometime afterwards.  The engineer has had charge of a train for the past sixteen years without a black mark against him.

The injured children were picked up and brought in an auto truck to the office of Dr. J T Legier.  The injuries of Gladys Frasier were found to be the most serious. She never regained consciousness and died before medical attention could be given her.  She was terribly crushed about her head and body.  Her skull was fractured, face mutilated, one leg broke in several places and her collarbone broken.  Wanda Gooch was badly cut and bruised about the head, her body terribly bruised and her right foot crushed.  For a time it was feared that she was internally injured and her life was despaired of, but at last report she had passed the crisis and unless unforeseen complications set in, she will recover.  Edna Gooch had her right arm badly strained at the elbow but was not seriously hurt.

Gladys Frasier was the eleven year old daughter of George and Feriby Frasier. Since the death of her parents four years ago, she had made her home with her aunt, Mrs. John (Inez) King in this city, except a year and a half spent in a hospital in St. Louis, where she was treated for ruberralar? bone trouble?  She was a pleasant, loveable child and her untimely demise caused extreme sorrow to all.  She is survived by two brothers, two step-sisters, and one step brother.  Funeral services were held at the King home Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, after which the body was taken to Burnt Prairie for internment.

The verdict of the Coroner's Jury at the inquest held Friday afternoon on the death of Gladys Frasier was in accordance with the evidence of the principal witnesses above quoted.

 

 

 

(Fairview p6c 1,2) Page 467 White County Democrat, Sep 4 1919

    Gladys Frazier, killed in railroad yard accident in Carmi Friday afternoon by L & N train.  Daughter of George and Freby Frashier.  Burial:

Burnt Prairie Cemetery.  (p1c2) [09/4 Carmi Tribune Times.] Age 11y 6m 20d.